The Jericho Benedictines are a Society of Apostolic Life which is one of the forms of

religious congregation A religious congregation is a type of religious institute in the Catholic Church. They are legally distinguished from religious orders – the other major type of religious institute – in that members take simple vows, whereas members of religio ...

within the

Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...

branch of the

Catholic Church The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...

History

The Jericho Benedictines began in Paisley,

Scotland Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the ...

, during the 1970s, when a group of men found themselves deeply moved by the plight of those who lived rough, and were marginalised by society because of their struggle with alcohol. Father James Ferguson, a

priest A priest is a religious leader authorized to perform the sacred rituals of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and one or more deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particu ...

of the

Diocese of Paisley The Diocese of Paisley ( la, Dioecesis Pasletana) is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Latin Church of the Catholic Church in Scotland. Erected on 25 May 1947 from the Archdiocese of Glasgow, the diocese covers the historic county o ...

, gathered these men together and they chose the name 'Jericho Benedictines', a name which is highly significant. The Jericho Benedictine website states that its members have the ministry of... "welcoming, supporting, and caring for those being 'passed by on the other side' irrespective of colour, class, creed, sex, or sexual orientation".

Life

Being a Society of Apostolic Life, the Jericho Benedictines are not a

religious order A religious order is a lineage of communities and organizations of people who live in some way set apart from society in accordance with their specific religious devotion, usually characterized by the principles of its founder's religious practi ...

and thus do not take the

vows A vow ( Lat. ''votum'', vow, promise; see vote) is a promise or oath. A vow is used as a promise, a promise solemn rather than casual. Marriage vows Marriage vows are binding promises each partner in a couple makes to the other during a weddi ...

of poverty, chastity and obedience. However, they embrace these same charisms so that they may live simply, devote themselves totally to the ministry and be willing to go where they are most needed, even when this is inconvenient. The Society accepts enquiries from single men between the ages of 20–50, with a minimum of two substantial visits (Monday–Friday) being required for the possibility of admission to

postulancy A postulant (from la, postulare, to ask) was originally one who makes a request or demand; hence, a candidate. The use of the term is now generally restricted to those asking for admission into a Christian monastery or a religious order for the pe ...

, a period which lasts from six to nine months. After this there is a two-year

novitiate The novitiate, also called the noviciate, is the period of training and preparation that a Christian ''novice'' (or ''prospective'') monastic, apostolic, or member of a religious order undergoes prior to taking vows in order to discern whether ...

in the Society's motherhouse (opened in 1990): the

Monastery A monastery is a building or complex of buildings comprising the domestic quarters and workplaces of monastics, monks or nuns, whether living in communities or alone (hermits). A monastery generally includes a place reserved for prayer which ...

of Jesus at Kilbarchan, near the town of

Johnstone Johnstone ( sco, Johnstoun,
gd, Baile Iain) is a town ...

in Renfrewshire. During this time, the member also solemnly renews his

Baptism Baptism (from grc-x-koine, βάπτισμα, váptisma) is a form of ritual purification—a characteristic of many religions throughout time and geography. In Christianity, it is a Christian sacrament of initiation and adoption, almost inv ...

al promises. At the end of the novitiate the

novice A novice is a person who has entered a religious order and is under probation, before taking vows. A ''novice'' can also refer to a person (or animal e.g. racehorse) who is entering a profession A profession is a field of work that has ...

is received as an

Oblate In Christianity (especially in the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican and Methodist traditions), an oblate is a person who is specifically dedicated to God or to God's service. Oblates are individuals, either laypersons or clergy, normally livi ...

Saint Benedict Benedict of Nursia ( la, Benedictus Nursiae; it, Benedetto da Norcia; 2 March AD 480 – 21 March AD 548) was an Christianity in Italy, Italian Christian monk, writer, and theologian who is venerated in the Catholic Church, the Eastern Ortho ...

at Prinknash Abbey,

Gloucestershire Gloucestershire ( abbreviated Glos) is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn and the entire Forest of Dean. The county town is the city of Gl ...

, with which the Jericho Benedictines have been granted an informal association. Thereafter, he returns to the motherhouse, making a temporary profession for three years, during which time both spiritual and secular development continue in order for the member to begin ministering at one of the Jericho inns. After the three-year period, he is received as a permanent member of the Community. The religious garb of the members is composed of a denim-coloured habit in the Benedictine style, with the letters JB (for Jericho Benedictines) emblazoned on the

scapular The scapular (from Latin ''wikt:scapula#Latin, scapulae'', "shoulders") is a Western Christianity, Western Christian garment suspended from the shoulders. There are two types of scapulars, the Monasticism, monastic and Catholic devotions, devot ...

Jericho Houses

The Society's houses are called 'Jericho Inns' in order to emphasise the element of hospitality. Since their foundation, the Jericho Benedictines have expanded their ministry beyond the care of those recovering from alcohol addiction. To ensure that a professional presence is maintained at all times, a staff of some 60 people work alongside the Jericho Benedictines. *

Derby Derby ( ) is a city and unitary authority area in Derbyshire, England. It lies on the banks of the River Derwent in the south of Derbyshire, which is in the East Midlands Region. It was traditionally the county town of Derbyshire. Derby gai ...

: (1996) Recovering drug users. *

Dundee Dundee (; sco, Dundee; gd, Dùn Dè or ) is Scotland's fourth-largest city and the 51st-most-populous built-up area in the United Kingdom. The mid-year population estimate for 2016 was , giving Dundee a population density of 2,478/km2 or ...

: (1996) Recovering alcoholics in a purpose built facility with 12 flats. *

Edinburgh Edinburgh ( ; gd, Dùn Èideann ) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian ...

: (1988) Registered Residential Care Home, a half-way house, free food and clothing for the homeless. * Girvan: (1993) Place where people who are cared for can experience a week's holiday. *

Greenock Greenock (; sco, Greenock; gd, Grianaig, ) is a town and administrative centre in the Inverclyde council areas of Scotland, council area in Scotland, United Kingdom and a former burgh of barony, burgh within the Counties of Scotland, historic ...

: (1980) Support for 18 men recovering from alcohol and/or drug abuse. *

Manchester Manchester () is a city in Greater Manchester, England. It had a population of 552,000 in 2021. It is bordered by the Cheshire Plain to the south, the Pennines to the north and east, and the neighbouring city of Salford to the west. The t ...

: (2005) The Morning Star Hostel provides support for 15 homeless men. *

Port Glasgow Port Glasgow ( gd, Port Ghlaschu, ) is the second-largest town in the Inverclyde council area of Scotland. The population according to the 1991 census for Port Glasgow was 19,426 persons and in the 2001 census was 16,617 persons. The most recen ...

: (1976) Provides supported housing for 18 men recovering from drug abuse. *

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: (1990) This group of 25 family homes is supported by the Jericho Benedictines. *

Wolverhampton Wolverhampton () is a city, metropolitan borough and administrative centre in the West Midlands, England. The population size has increased by 5.7%, from around 249,500 in 2011 to 263,700 in 2021. People from the city are called "Wulfrunian ...

: (1985) There are two short- and long-term support units: one in Albert Road (1985) for nine women and their children, and one in Tetenhall Road (1992) for eleven women and their children in self-contained

bedsit A bedsit, bedsitter, or bed-sitting room is a form of accommodation common in some parts of the United Kingdom which consists of a single room per occupant with all occupants typically sharing a bathroom. Bedsits are included in a legal category ...

s.{{Cite web , url=http://www.jerichobenedictine.org/houses.html , title=Jericho website: Houses , access-date=2011-10-16 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002061538/http://www.jerichobenedictine.org/houses.html , archive-date=2011-10-02 , url-status=dead

Jericho Neighbours

Like the

s of the

Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire a ...

, the Jericho Benedictines are assisted by an army of volunteers. Apart from their regular prayers, these men and women raise money for the work of the Society as well as help out, whenever possible, at one of the Jericho Inns.

References

External links

The Jericho BenedictinesThe Order of St. BenedictPrinknash AbbeyThe Diocese of PaisleyJericho Addiction Services
Communities of Oblates Regular Societies of apostolic life